Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I had a bit of a fun time with my system on Friday. Came home to the sump drained, the uniseal had popped out (fixed properly), but in the process of getting it sorted, I put a few small holes in the liner (couldn't see them, but it's not over a huge area.)

I put a 5L bucket under the leaks, and it's taking about 1-2 hours to fill.

Are there any easy ways to fix it? Removing all the media, and replacing the whole liner is not a job I like the idea of. Are there any ways to fix it? Waterproof medical sticky patches? Tyre puncture patches? Using a soldering iron to weld another piece on top?

I know not much sticks to it, which is half the problem.

I emailed the seller I got it from as well, see if they have any ways to fix it.

Thanks all!

You could get yourself a patch repair kit like these http://www.ebay.com/sch/Home-Garden-/11 ... repair+kit

But in reality they are basically a piece of liner, sandpaper and glue. Similar to a bike tyre repair kit. If you have a piece of liner spare you can easily do the rest, just rough up the area with sandpaper or even a piece of rock, clean the area (alcohol swab is good), then use a suitable rubber glue to patch. There are some fantastic glues you can get from the hardware store to suit.

Another method is to use a product called Aqua-knead it. Ive used it to patch hard liners before but I think it may work in some situations on liners too.

Another thought is if the holes are relatively small, a good dollop of good glue might just be enough to bind the hole. Ive done this on the kids blow up pool.

Colum in putting a inlet in my DWC i put a small hole right in the fold between the base and the upright just a small drip,enough over time to rot the wood frame out,although not HDPE it is plastic and nothing wants to stick to that either.I ended up cutting a circle of liner material roughly 80mm dia,drained some of the water so as i could slid a small piece of board under the hole position to keep it flat and out of the water and siliconed this patch,i lightly abraded the surfaces to give it a key first and placed it over the hole,giving it a real good squeeze.I let this harden for a bit then when i removed the board i put a dollop of silicone between the plastic and wood in that position as well....No leak even though the patch had to bend through 90 degres in the corner,just wait to see if it lasts now.Your situation is different,but my patch seems to have worked in mine,hope this helps...

I've tried to patch the pond liner with the aqua knead it before, it didn't hold well after time.

I've got spare liner already at home, taking a patch would be easy enough.

What rubber glue would be the best. I know superglue will hold, but I'm not sure once submerged in water?

http://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-10g- ... r_p1230091

That one?

I've also tried silicon under water, and over time it doesn't hold together well.

No the type of super glue sold in the shops breaks down in water.

Interesting about the silicone and water,how about glass aquariums there held together with silicone....

It could be the type of silicone used. I know aquarium silicone is different, they sell it as a different type.

Those aquariums are not made of polyethylene, a material that is *nearly* impossible to stick to. The good news is that polyethylene is a thermoplastic, meaning that you could weld the new liner over the old holy liner Batman. West Systems makes an epoxy called G-Flex that sticks to it too.

The marine sikaflex 291 is the best silicone available but I wouldn't use it in this instance. Search for marine glue for an adhesive not silicone.

Loctite have some good products.

http://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-24ml ... e_p1230082

How about that one?

Hi Colum tommy tape might work

The ebay seller I bought it from recommended a 3M rubber tape, stick them together, and put silicone in the middle. It should be a proper fix then.

Would this one work?

I was thinking duct tape?

not much will stick to polyethylene.

I would love it if duct tape would work. So much easier than anything else.

Decision made:
http://www.bunnings.com.au/3m-scotch-48 ... -_p1661183

I'll give it a whirl, and report back.

If (probably when) it fails, I'll go for the epoxy & liner method.